I can't speak to shaving with a straight since I've only done it once, but I have never nicked myself seriously while shaving with a DE. The only serious cut I got was when I dropped it and tried to catch it. It dug right into the tip of my finger. I can tell you now that I'll never try to catch a dropped razor ever again... especially a straight. Seems like this kind of stuff is a rite of passage. Just know that you're not alone